The Building of Peace

Located in The Hague (The Netherlands), the Peace Palace is often called the seat of international law because it houses the International Court of Justice (which is the principal judicial body of the UN), the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the Hague Academy of International Law. In addition to hosting these institutions, the Peace Palace is also a regular venue for special events in international policy and law. The Palace officially opened on August 28, 1913, and was originally built to provide a symbolic home for the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a court created to end war which was created by treaty at the 1899 Hague Peace Conference. This versatile book - published by the Carnegie Foundation, The Hague - highlights the centenary of the Peace Palace in all of its facets. Unlike 1913, in 2013 the world is not in an idealistic mood. Differences between countries have partly given way to complex conflicts within national borders, but with international dimensions. With an open inquiring gaze, the book examines the existence and the legitimacy of the Peace Palace. New historical research describes in detail how this icon of international law and the institutions that it houses have survived the past century with all of their bruises and successes. Major authors from different continents - such as Gunter Grass, Arnon Grunberg and Perihan Magden - offer personal contributions. An extensive photo series shows what happens inside the walls of the Peace Palace over the course of a year. An expert in the field of international law takes the reader inside and discusses the image and self-image of the institutions in the Peace Palace. This is a fascinating insight into a specialized world that is seen as closed off, but that increasingly recognizes the interests of everyone. Richly illustrated, The Building of Peace accessibly presents the Peace Palace as a microcosm with a global perspective, where work is done with great dedication and commitment to promote and maintain peace in the world via the dispassionate means of law. [Please note: This book is also available in Dutch language text - "Bouwen aan Vrede" / ISBN 978 94 6236 088 4 - and French language text - "La Construction de la Paix" / ISBN 978 94 6236 087 7.]